We are pleased to confirm the amendments we have made to the BTEC First Award in Construction and the Built Environment have been accepted by DFE and they have included on the performance tables for 2020. Updated specifications are available on our website. Changes include updating the unit ‘Construction and Design’ to improve synoptic links across the qualification and an update to the design of the external assessment, increasing the duration, to ensure DFE approval.

The larger sizes of BTEC First (Certificate, Extended Certificate, Diploma) have been amended, applicable from September 2018, to allow greater flexibility, in particular removal of restrictions in the core units (the requirement to aggregate a pass) and a greater choice of optional units.

A reminder that the qualification was updated on 1 February 2018 with approval automatically transferred for qualifying centres. In addition we have updated the free workbook for delivery and assessment and the specification to improve the content and centre guidance e.g. on malpractice

The workbook for assessment with contextualised case studies, questions and up-to-date scenarios to help both teaching and the gathering of evidence, with free teaching materials for centres, can be found on our website but requires an Edexcel Online Log in.

BTEC Nationals from September 2017 - approved by DFE

2010 BTEC Nationals remain available until at least 31 December 2019 and we are now considering an extension until mid 2020, to provide some consistency for providers whilst the impact, and implementation, of T Levels is being established.

A reminder that new BTEC Nationals in Construction and the Built Environment, including Civil Engineering and Building Services Engineering specialist qualifications, are now approved by DFE as meeting Tech Level performance criteria.

Pearson are supporting new standards with selected development of End Point Assessments (EPA’s) during 2018 and 2019 in Construction. Following the recent approval of some key standards, we have now developed Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 End Point Assessment for anticipated first assessment dates in September 2019. Specifications will be online shortly. We are working on an update to the knowledge qualification to fully meet the standard, (see below). Although the current BTEC Diploma in Construction occupations - carpentry/ joinery pathways can meet most of the knowledge requirements, a knowledge qualification is not mandated to meet the standard, but may be valued by employers. The NVQ in Wood Occupations is still required as evidence on on-programme competence development.

The SASE apprenticeship in Wood Occupations closes to new registrations on 31 December 2019.

Level 2 Technical Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery: This will be the new knowledge qualification for the carpentry and joinery apprenticeship which can also be used by full time learners, as part of a study programme to improve employability prospects. Routes will be available in both carpentry and joinery with introductory knowledge and understanding about the industry, materials and techniques, workplace communication and behaviours, working with other trades and getting ready for employment. We plan to launch this by January 2019.

New HNC and HND’s in Construction are now included in the higher level frameworks and have replaced the QCF version at level 4 on our systems (registration end date of 31/12/18).

The Level 5 HND QCF is still available for those centres with learners needing to progress from QCF L4 to L5. Any existing Technical Certificates, NVQ’s and other competence qualifications are being extended to ensure continuity of provision, as above.

Note that many standards do not specify mandatory qualifications, but listed below are qualifications that may be suitable as they cover much of the on-programme knowledge/ skill requirements. Unless mandated, the choice of a qualification will be down to the employer to agree with providers.

Qualifications

SASE Framework

New Standard & Qualifications

Available/ Notes

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations

Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying)

Bricklayer Level 2.

Does not mandate an NVQ though Existing NVQ L2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations may be acceptable